Dearborn Says No New Hookah Cafes For 6 Months

SAN JOSE, CA - JANUARY 18: Hookah pipes are seen at the Hookah Nites Cafe January 18, 2006 in San Jose, California. The ancient Middle-Eastern practice of smoking flavored tobaccos through a tall, ornate water pipe, better known as hookah, has become increasingly popular throughout the United States. Hookah lounges are becoming trendy in college towns and are appealing to people from all walks of life. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)Hookah pipes --The ancient Middle-Eastern practice of smoking flavored tobaccos through a tall, ornate water pipe, better known as hookah. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) – A Detroit suburb known for an abundance of hookah cafes has ordered that no new ones be opened in the next six months.

On a 5-2 vote last week, the Dearborn City Council approved a 180-day moratorium on new hookah cafes or cigar bars.

The Detroit Free Press reports Monday the move comes amid concern that some establishments are operating illegally and hurting the community’s health.

Moratorium opponents say it will harm business and unfairly targets establishments popular with Arab Americans. Dearborn has a large Arab population.

Hookahs are water pipes smoked with flavored tobacco that are popular in the Arab world. Critics say they cause health problems and tobacco addictions among young people.

Troy restricted hours at hookah cafes last year because officials said they were attracting trouble.